KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan has announced the 2009-10 women’s basketball schedule, with the Broncos playing two exhibition contests and 29 regular-season games - 12 of which are at home. The Broncos open their Mid-American Conference slate Jan. 6 at Ball State.

“In terms of non-conference again we have another challenging schedule, facing opponents from the Big Ten, PAC-10, ACC, A-10 and Big EAST, as well as other challenging programs,” WMU head coach Tasha McDowell said. “We are looking forward to rekindling the rivalry with Michigan State the next couple of years, a matchup all will enjoy statewide.”

Western Michigan hosts Aquinas College (Nov. 4) and next door neighbor Kalamazoo College (Nov. 8) in preseason play before kicking off the 2009-10 regular season at the Kay Yow Classic on the campus of North Carolina State. The Broncos open against Vermont on Nov. 13 and play either NC State or Florida International in the championship/consolation game the following day.

Along with the excitement of the season opener will come a sense of reverence, as WMU participates in the first Kay Yow Classic since the legendary head coach’s passing this past January.

“We are grateful to be part of such a great tournament and to honor and remember one of the sport’s greatest coaches in Kay Yow,” McDowell said. “A fighter on and off the court, she was a true trailblazer and mentor to everyone in this profession.”

Western Michigan returns to University Arena for its home-opener, hosting Loyola-Chicago Nov. 19. The Broncos renew their rivalry with Michigan State Nov. 22, playing the Spartans at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Considered a home game for Michigan State, this contest is part of a three-year deal between WMU and MSU, with Michigan State coming to Kalamazoo in 2010-11. Western Michigan and Michigan State have not met since the 1995-96 season.

The Broncos embark on a four-game road trip Nov. 25, traveling to Southern Illinois, also making stops at Chicago State (Nov. 30), Pitt (Dec. 5) and Eastern Illinois (Dec. 9). WMU makes it way back to Kalamazoo for a three-game homestand hosting Illinois-Chicago (Dec. 13), St. Louis (Dec. 19) and Washington (Dec. 22).

The non-conference schedule concludes at the James Madison University Classic, Dec. 29-30, where the Broncos will play UNC Asheville and then either James Madison or Layfette College.

After a one-week break, Western Michigan begins its 16-game Mid-American Conference schedule, going head-to-head with last year’s tournament champion Ball State in Muncie, Ind., Jan. 6. The Broncos follow with Eastern Michigan at home (Jan. 9) and road games at Northern Illinois (Jan. 12) and Central Michigan (Jan. 16). A home game against Toledo (Jan. 20) wraps-up the first round against the MAC West.

As for the MAC East opponents, Western Michigan travels to Akron (Jan. 23), Bowling Green (Jan. 27) and Miami (Feb. 6), playing Buffalo (Jan. 30) and Ohio (Feb. 3) at home. The second go-around against the West has Toledo (Feb. 13) and Eastern Michigan (Feb. 24) on the road and Ball State (Feb. 20), Central Michigan (Feb. 27) and Northern Illinois (March 2) at home.

“The MAC is going to be a very strong conference once again,” McDowell said. “Every team is possible of winning a championship and we are looking forward to a competitive conference run.”